I have used goal setting in various aspects of my life with tremendous success. Two decades ago, I accomplished the seemingly impossible task of writing my own computer role playing game. I literally broke down every programming task I needed to achieve by day, and I stuck to a schedule for over 2 months. The result was a very proud moment when people began downloading my game and telling me how much they enjoyed it.
I have used goal setting in finance, career, weight training, you name it. It works, if you do it right! It is time I set goals for my Dreamstime portfolio, and challenge myself to achieve them publicly.
Here are the basic rules for goal setting, which you can apply to any facet of your life or work:
1. Your goal must be something you truly desire.
2. Goals should be attainable and realistic, but also should stretch you beyond your current limitations.
3. Goals must have a measurable aspect and a deadline. Otherwise, how will you know if you have achieved them?
As a relatively neophyte photographer, the last several months have been a trial by fire. I have learned a lot from Dreamstime contributors, reviewers, and even customers, about creating strong images which people can use. My relatively small portfolio gets a handful of sales per month - 15 per month for the last 6 months. But I am nowhere near content with my level of success.
My goal is 50 sales/month by July 31, 2008.
There it is. I wrote it, you read it. It is now up to me to make it happen.
My goal requires me to produce images in higher quantity and quality in 2008. I already know approximately how many images I must dream up and create per week. This isn't going to be easy, but it is necessary I push myself past my comfort level.
Join me in 2008! Create your own goals, ones which mean a lot to you personally. Then achieve them.
I will be using the Dreamstime message boards, and this blog, to publicly track my performance. I'm going to need all the help I can get to grow my portfolio to such heights, so you can bet I am open to advice from those who have "been there, done that."
Happy Holidays, and a very prosperous and Happy New Year!
